Redwood School will be closed on Wednesday 14 November due to intended teacher strike action.

Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your child(ren) for that day.

As you will be aware the majority of teachers and principals who are members of the NZEI (teacher union) voted to strike for a full day. This action is being taken due to the Ministry of Education’s offer in response to the NZEI’s claim for improved employment conditions for teachers and learning conditions for our tamariki.

Due to intended strike action teaching staff will not be available to keep the school open on 14 November therefore the school will remain closed for this day. The decision by the Board of Trustees to close the school has been considered carefully with an awareness that this will cause disruption to whanau/parents and tamariki. However, due to considerations regarding student safety/supervision and that a significant aspect of the teachers’ claim aims to bring about better outcomes for our tamariki, the Board has made this decision to close the school.

What our teachers want from the Ministry of Education:

• more resources and specialists to help them support the most vulnerable students
• better staffing to allow more time per student
• improved pay to address increased cost of living and a growing teacher shortage

These are important issues which directly affect the education of our tamariki.